Lynn Amber - Travel & Photography
sharing my thoughts through words and images
Photo Challenge: Acadia: May 19
Since ancient times, people have bestowed names on each full moon of the year. Different cultures had unique labels for the full moons – usually designated by characteristics of the particular month in which each occurs. The descriptive tags often refer to the tasks carried out by those who lived off the land including – planting of crops, important flowering/fruiting plants, or harvest time. May’s full moon is called the “Flower Moon” as a tribute to all the flowering plants that we enjoy during this month. You remember that age old saying – “April showers bring May flowers.” I read where this nomenclature may have been sparked by all the lupines that bloom during this month in North America. Well, they are not yet blooming here in Downeast Maine although their leaves are stretching skyward.
While perusing the internet, I was confused when I saw reference to this moon as the “Blue Moon.” Isn’t that when there are two full moons within one month. And, this had not occurred in the month of May. Time to do some research. It turns out that when there are 4 full moons within a “season” – the third one is called a “blue moon.” Hence, the reason why there have been so many references to this month’s moon as the “Blue Moon.” Personally, I prefer “Flower Moon.” 🙂
Lynn Amber - Travel & Photography 